FBI MOLE TRIED TO AID THOMPSON FUND

Ray Gibson and Dean BaquetCHICAGO TRIBUNE

FBI informant Michael Raymond made a $1,500 contribution intended for Gov. James Thompson`s campaign fund last November, but the cash was returned before it could be deposited in the governor`s political war chest, according to a Thompson fundraiser.

Frank Mauro, owner of Francis Cadillac in Mt. Prospect and a member of the State Toll Highway Authority board, said Raymond also pledged to give an additional $3,500 for a fundraising event to be held this summer that Thompson aides hope President Reagan will attend.

James Prescott, a spokesman for Thompson, said that the governor was not aware of the contribution.

Raymond, a convicted swindler, reportedly made political contributions and payments to various officials of the City of Chicago last year in an attempt to win favors for Raymond`s employer, Systematic Recovery Service Inc., while he was working for the firm and also operating undercover for the FBI. A federal grand jury is investigating allegations of corruption in Chicago city government.

Mauro said Raymond gave the $1,500 to Michael Lambesis, who turned it over to Mauro. Lambesis was formerly a partner with Mauro in a South Side car dealership. Lambesis is currently on leave as an investigator with the Cook County Circuit Court clerk`s office following reports that he is among the targets of the federal investigation.

Mauro said Lambesis gave him the $1,500 after Mauro met with Raymond and Lambesis just before a Nov. 19 fundraising event for Thompson.

''Raymond was going to buy a table when the President came in,'' Mauro said. ''I was even going to introduce him to the governor.''

Mauro said he returned the cash to Lambesis six weeks later, after the news media disclosed Raymond`s role in the investigation.

Mauro, a longtime friend of Thompson, is not under investigation, according to federal authorities. He said he was ''duped'' and embarrassed by his dealings with Raymond.

''I was intending to hold a party at my house, and I was going to invite this slob to my house,'' he said.

Under Illinois law, a political committee is required to deposit a campaign contribution in its bank account within 10 days of receiving the money. But Prescott said no law was violated because the committee never received the payment.

Prescott said the governor had never met Raymond, but ''the governor said he knew'' Lambesis.

The November meeting wasn`t the first between Raymond and Mauro. Mauro said earlier this year that he had leased cars to Raymond and to former mayoral aide Clarence McClain, who has been linked to Raymond.

Raymond paid at least $1,500 for McClain`s lease of a 1985 Oldsmobile from Mauro.